Ludwell and Masters out to tame Sandburn

Having won the oldest professional trophy in golf at De Vere Oulton Hall last week, the 41-year-old is hoping to land one of the newest events on the PGA North circuit.

The Yorkshire Masters – which has attracted a field of 100 northern professionals – has been upgraded to full regional status for the first time and takes its place in the five-tournament Order of Merit schedule.

Selby pro Ludwell, who played on the European Tour between 1998 and 2000, is targeting qualification for the end-of-season play-offs in Turkey in November after making up for lost time at Oulton Hall last week.

The Leeds Cup was his first event of the year and leaves him 18th on the points list, with only the top three qualifying for the finals in Antalya.

“I’m going to play the last two to give me a chance of qualifying for the final,” said Ludwell, who won the Order of Merit in 2009.

“I haven’t played much in between winning last week and this week’s Yorkshire Masters, but I’ll try and keep the same relaxed attitude as last week and, hopefully, get the same result.”

Sandburn, set in the scenic Vale of York and opened eight years ago, has attracted nine of the top 10 points-list contenders.

Heading the table is Lancashire’s David Shacklady, the Manchester Open winner from Mossock Hall who is pursuing his third Mike Slater Memorial merit trophy in six years.

He leads by 98 points from Snainton Golf Centre’s John Wells but with 270 points at stake at Sandburn and the same number in next month’s James Brearley Lancashire Open at Blackpool North Shore, there is all to play for.

Lying a close third is Richard Masters, the 56-year-old professional from Baildon, who shot up the rankings after finishing second at the Leeds Cup.

Defending merit champion Adrian Ambler (Low Laithes) is seventh.

The 36-hole tournament begins tomorrow and is preceded by a pro-am.